The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-07-23
SOUTHERN WRITER'S IN NORTHERN
MAGAZINES.
CNew Orleans Picayune.1

MAUAZlNESs
CNew Orleans Picayune.l
When the international novel came
into vogue, some years ago, it was re-
marked that the American had at last
discovered Europe. In view of the
great attention now received from them
by this quarter of tho country, we may
say with equal point and propriety thai
the northern magazines have finally
dis covered the south. It Is not that
they had nothing to say of Dixie and
Its people -tstheir tricks and theft
manners"-in the noisy days immedi-
ately succeeding the war OF secession.
We all remember tho professional cor.
respondent who visited US in our affiic-
,tion, and who wrote the letters he had
come to write in accordance with the
demands of party exigency. 1t is true
that the newspapers had almost mo-
nopoly of that portion of the business,
the magazines for the most part con-
flung themselves to abstract essays and
speculatfons suggested by an imaginary
south evolved. ~ ne German phil0s-
.opfler,s caaiei, from the csaaciousness
of the author. sasas
When at length the study of the
south was begun with data afforded by
actual observation and experience, we
noticed at tho same time marked and
favorable change of opinion. The
northern student discovered, In the
first place, that from certain points of
view the south presented a good deal
of art material. 1t was picturesque in
Its ruins and poetic even In its unpro-
gressiveness and provincialism. Later
on they were impressed by traits of
character and evidences of culture for
which they were evidently unprepared.
Little by little there was less of patron
age, less OF the de haut en- 6as in their
tone. Sympathy had come with in.
creased knowledge, and with the op-
portunittes of more intimate acquain-
lance that sentiment was mingled more
and more with undisguIsed admiration.
Meanwhile the south has become a
subject of peculiar interest to northern
readers, and the magazines have been
for some years devoting very consid-
erabie portion of their space to pen and
pencil illustrations of southern scenery,
southern industries and southern soci-
ETY.. But the most hopeful prospect nj
an improved understanding of this sec
ton Is found in the fact that southern
writer's are now welcome contributors
to northern magazines, and through
that medium the world at large is
taught to see us as we see ourselves.
OF course, we do not mean to say that
every southern writer OF the requisite
literary skill is accorded ready access
n Qfvp If hn
to the Harper's Magazine, the Century,
or Lippincotts'. When we reflect that
the population OF this country is now
something like GO, OOO, 900, and that out
of this number there are thousands of
ambitious persons who crave the dis,
ttnction of Il recognition by some one of
the few ffrst-class periodicals whose ap-
proval Is the shortest road to literary
lame, we cannot be surprised that
many writers of exceptional ability are
destined to disappointment in those
high quarters. But what we do mean
TO say is that southern writer's. so far
from having to contend against an in
vincible prejudice, are now treated
with more consideration, perhaps, than
the writer's of any other part OF the
country. This is due to the keen inter-
est which the northern public has come
to take in everything southern, and
largely, no doubt, to these special quail
tiles Of the southern mind which have
not hitherto found an adequate express
sion In literature. 1t is not that they
are the best of American writers but
that they have been recently discov-
cred and their style has the zest of
novelty.
As we have minated, it is fortunate
Tor the repu,e of southern culture that
Its representatives are now allowed 10
testify In their own behalf and that of
their people. Their work speaks for
itsslf. We confess, however, that at
one time we were troubled with some
doubt as to whether this opportunity
would prove an unmixed blessing. The
danger was that young southern writ-
ers, in their anxiety to please the
northern public, would sacrifice too
much OF that independence which was
essential to perfect statement or II fair
portraiturc of a situation that had been
the occasion Of so mnch controyarsy